What is good about painting on a smooth canvas compared to one thats textured?

Question

Im using gesso for the first time and i dont know wheter to take the steps to make it smooth (sanding it and diluting it). I just want to know what good about having a smooth surfaced canvas compared to one with texture.

Answer 1

A smooth surface can be easier for painting fine details such as those required in photo realism or hyper-realism techniques. It shouldn't matter unless you want to add a lot of detail, in that case it is a good idea to add several layers of gesso and sand the surface smooth between each layer. If you are buying those pre-made canvases they are probably already double primed with gesso so adding more will just make them smoother. It is really just a matter of what works best for you.

Answer 2

Some artists don't want to see any marks or brush strokes on their canvas, so they want a smooth surface. If you are like me and like a "textured" surface in your picture, then gesso your canvas and begin painting, if not, then by all means, sand, dilute and remove all textures.

Answer 3

Purely personal preference.

Some artists like the visual texture that a lightly gessoed canvas provides.

Some like it smooth as possible (gessoed masonite is a better choice than canvas), because it responds especially well to glazing techniques, providing "depth" to colors. Maxfield Parrish was a masonite/smooth surface master...



It depends on your personal style and choice.

Try both and see which suits you better.